illy’s Università del Caffè celebrates 25 years
September 11 - 2024
Coffee Geography Magazine
illycaffè marks the 25th anniversary of its Università del Caffè, a global center of excellence dedicated to fostering the culture of quality coffee around the world. Founded in 1999, the Università del Caffè has been at the forefront of educating coffee growers, hospitality professionals, and enthusiasts, with a reach that now spans 23 countries, including headquarters in Trieste.
Since its inception, the Università del Caffè has trained over 350,000 individuals, including coffee producers, baristas, restaurateurs, and coffee lovers. The institution's mission is to enhance and elevate every aspect of the coffee supply chain, from cultivation to the final cup. This commitment is reflected in its robust educational programs, delivered by a faculty of 50 highly qualified instructors certified by ACS Italia, a skills certification body that attests the level of knowledge and ability in training.
Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè
“Training is a strategic lever for the success of a company, an industry, and for the development of individuals,” said Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè. “It also embodies passion, curiosity, and a desire to expand one’s knowledge. The Università del Caffè exemplifies how a culture of quality and sustainability can be conveyed through innovative and engaging education."
With branches across different continents, the Università del Caffè offers a diverse range of courses tailored to meet local needs while maintaining a global standard of excellence. This international presence ensures that specialized knowledge is accessible to a wide audience, allowing for a nuanced understanding of regional coffee cultures and practices.
The courses are structured to cater to various stakeholders in the coffee supply chain:
• For Coffee Producers: The Università del Caffè provides in-depth training on the latest agronomic techniques, tailored to the specific conditions of diverse growing regions. This helps farmers optimize their production and maintain high-quality standards.
• For Hospitality Professionals: Baristas, restaurateurs, and other hospitality workers receive specialized training on coffee preparation, as well as insights into effective business management and marketing strategies to enhance their operations.
• For Coffee Enthusiasts: The Università del Caffè offers tasting sessions and informational courses designed to deepen the appreciation of coffee. Participants learn to recognize the unique flavors and aromas of coffees from around the world, fostering a greater understanding of coffee as an art and a science.
Illy was founded by a Hungarian, Francesco Illy, born in Temesvár, Austria-Hungary. During World War I he was conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian Army. After the war and the Treaty of Trianon, he remained with his sister in Trieste, which had recently come under Italian rule. In 1933, he set up a cocoa and coffee business, eventually concentrating on coffee. Focusing his interest on espresso, in 1935, Illy invented the first automatic coffee machine which substituted pressurized water for steam, marketed as the illetta, the predecessor of contemporary espresso machines.
Illy developed a packaging system to preserve coffee, where coffee-filled cans are pressurized with nitrogen, to prevent oxidation. Illy coffee was soon marketed outside the Trieste area and was eventually marketed throughout Italy.
After World War II, control of the company passed to Ernesto Illy (1925–2008), the son of the founder, who started a research laboratory that would ultimately develop numerous inventions and patents. As a scientist and researcher, Ernesto Illy established cooperative agreements with universities and research centres and promoted coffee globally.
Ernesto's son Andrea Illy (born 1964) is currently the company chairman, and Andrea's sister Anna Illy and brothers Francesco Illy and Riccardo Illy are on the board of directors. Illy coffee is currently available globally and remains a key player in the international coffee trade, innovations and sustainability support work in sourcing countries.
In 1999, Illy established the University of Coffee, Unicaffe, in Naples to support education, research and innovation related to coffee. The University was later moved to company offices in Trieste; the Unicaffe network currently has 27 branches worldwide.